Lok Sabha elections 2024 results: In a dramatic turn of events during the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the epicenter of an intense contest. Nearly four hours into the process, the state’s long-standing BJP stronghold is witnessing a fierce battle between the NDA and the INDIA bloc, which comprises the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress. The INDIA bloc is currently holding a slim lead over the NDA.

According to the latest figures from the Election Commission, the NDA is leading in 34 seats (with the BJP in 32 and the RLD in two), while the INDIA bloc is ahead in 45 seats (with the SP in 36 and Congress in nine). This is a significant shift from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP-led NDA won 62 of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 seats.

At that time, the BSP and Samajwadi Party, then allies, secured 10 and five seats, respectively. This election, the BSP is contesting independently and early trends do not indicate a strong performance.

The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, is contesting 62 seats, while the Congress is contesting 17. The BJP has maintained its alliance with Apna Dal (Sonelal) and has added Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD and OP Rajbhar’s Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party to the NDA fold.

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For the Congress, Amethi and Rae Bareli remain critical battlegrounds. In Amethi, Rahul Gandhi, who lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in the last election, is represented by Kishori Lal Sharma, a loyalist of the Gandhi family, who is currently leading over Irani. In Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi himself is leading by over 60,000 votes.

Despite exit polls previously suggesting an edge for the NDA in Uttar Pradesh, leaders of the INDIA bloc had dismissed these projections.

Key Lok Sabha Seats in Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading over Congress’s Ajay Rai in Varanasi. In Rae Bareli, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is ahead, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is leading from Kannauj.

In Lucknow, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is seeking a third term, is leading against SP’s Ravidas Mehrotra and BSP candidate Sarwar Malik. Hema Malini, the BJP’s actor-turned-politician, is leading in Mathura against Congress’s Mukesh Dhangar. However, in a notable shift, Union Minister Smriti Irani is trailing behind Congress’s Kishori Lal Sharma in Amethi.

As the counting continues, Uttar Pradesh remains a critical battleground, with both the NDA and the INDIA bloc vying for dominance in this key state. The outcome here could significantly influence the overall results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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